Combined shoe tree and shoehorn



April 1941- A. G. BERRY, JR 2,236,703

COMBINED SHOE TREE AND SHOEHORN Filed May 15, 1939 Patented Apr. 1, 1941 2,236,703 COMBINED SHOE TREE AN'D SHOEHORN Albert G. Berry, Jr., Coronado, Calif.

.. Application May 15, 1939, Serial No. 273,778 g 3 Claims. (Cl. 12128.1)

This invention relates to a combined shoe tree and shoehorn and it is one object of the invention to provide a device of this character which may be used with equal facility either as a shoe tree or as a shoehorn. It will thus be seen that the device may be used for stretching and shaping shoes which are not in use and, when removed from the shoes, employed as a shoehorn as the shoes are put on. This eliminates the inconvenience of looking for a shoehorn which has become misplaced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including a sheet metal member shaped to fit within the toe portion of a shoe and having one end portion so formed that it may be used as a shoehorn when removed from veniently grasped during use of the device as a shoehorn and, in addition, so connect one end of the metal strip with the sheet metal member that during use of the device as a shoehorn, the metal strip will be out of the way,

And still another object of the invention is to provide a combined shoe tree and shoehorn which is of simplified construction and capable of being cheaply manufactured and sold at a low price.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the combined shoe tree and shoehorn partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the sheet metal member turned to a position adapting it for use as a shoehorn.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View showing a modified rear terminal for the stretcher.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a modified form of shoe tree and shoehorn.

- This improved combined shoe tree and shoehorn has a body I which may be formed of sheet metal, Celluloid, Tenite, or any other suitable material and is of suflicient thickness and rigidity to retain its shape. The body is o'f' concavoconvex formation and its forward portion is arcuate transversely, as shown in Fig. 5, and

tapered forwardly to a blunt point at its free end; as shown in Fig. 2. Thereforegthe forward portion of the body will substantially conform to the shape of the toe portion of a shoe or slipper and fit; properly therein when thrust into the shoe or slipper. It should also' be noted that 'when the body is disposed in' the position shown in Fig. 1, the lower edge 2 of the body extends horizontally and the surface 3 extends at a steep incline which will cause wedging fit within the shoe or slipper.

From the ends of the edge 2, the body tapers rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, and merges into a tongue 4 which is curved longitudinally and arcuate transversely and constitutes a handle for thrusting the body into a shoe when the body is in the position shown in Figs, 1 and 2, and serves as a shoehorn when the body is turned to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the body is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it may be grasped by its rearwardly presented portion and conveniently held while being used as a shoehorn.

In order to stretch a shoe or slipper in which the device is placed, there has been provided a stretcher consisting of a strip of resilient metal which is bowed longitudinally and has its front end bent to form an eye 6 loosely engaged about a cross bar 1. This cross bar is formed by cutting openings 8 in the intermediate portion of the body in spaced relation to each other, the metal between the openings constituting the cross bar and being depressed downwardly as shown in Fig. 5. Since the eye has a loose fit about the cross bar, the body I may be easily turned from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which position the device is used as a shoe tree, to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, for use as a shoehorn. When the body is in position for use as a shoe tree, the tongue 4 may be grasped as a handle and the tree thrust forwardly into the toe portion of a shoe or slipper, and when the body is turned to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in which the tongue projects forwardly from the stretcher, the body I may be grasped in a person's hand and serve as a hand grip while using the tongue as a shoehorn. The rear end of the stretcher is preferably bent, as shown at 9, to permit it to be forced into the heel portion of a shoe and maintain the stretcher under tension without tearing the lining of the shoe, If so desired, the ball l0 shown in Fig. 6 may be substituted for the bent portion 9, it being understood that the ball may be formed of metal, wood, plastic, or any other desired material and that other forms of rear terminals may be used, if so desired.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form of stretcher shown, as other forms may be employed and connected at their front ends to a body movable relative to the stretcher into position for use as a shoehorn or shoe tree. A stronger and more rigid stretcher may be desirable when the device is used as a shoe tree for stretching heavy shoes such as worn by men. By forming the lower edge 2 of the body I with an upwardly curved forward portion 2', as shown in Fig. 7, the front end of the body will be prevented from catching and digging into the sole of a shoe when it is thrust forwardly into the toe portion of the shoe.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A shoe tree comprising a body of a shape adapting it to fit within the forward portion of a shoe with its front end portion projecting upwardly and rearwardly out of the shoe, and a stretcher pivoted at one end to said body, said end portion of said body constituting a handle for the body when thrusting said body within a shoe and being of a shape adapting it for use as a shoehom when the body is turned about the pivoted end of the stretcher to a position presenting the shoehom forwardly.

2. A shoe tree comprising a sheet metal body arcuate transversely and extending rearwardly at an upward incline and terminating in a tongue curved longitudinally and arcuate transversely, and a stretcher consisting of a strip of resilient metal having its front end pivoted to said body to mount the body for tilting adjustment from a position disposing the tongue rearwardly of the stretcher for use as a handle when thrusting the body within the front portion of the shoe to a position in which the tongue extends forwardly from the stretcher, said tongue when extending forwardly being adapted for use as a shoehorn.

3. A shoe tree comprising a sheet metal body arcuate transversely and extending rearwardly at an upward incline and terminating in a tongue curved longitudinally and arcuate transversely, said body having its intermediate portion cut to form a bar extending transversely and depressed, and a stretcher consisting of a strip of resilient metal having its front end bent to form an eye engaged about said bar to pivotally connect the body with the front end of the stretcher and mount the body for tilting adjustment from a position forwardly of the body for fitting within the front portion of a shoe to a position disposing the tongue forwardly of the body adapting it for use as a shoehom.

ALBERT G. BERRY, J R. 

